(WASHINGTON, DC) – U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), a longtime supporter of protecting the rights of unborn children, is cosponsoring the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, introduced today by Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), which would ban most abortions nationwide for children over 20 weeks old. Scientific and medical evidence have indicated that 20 weeks is the point in which unborn children can feel pain. The legislation includes exemptions for cases of rape, incest or when the mother’s life would be in danger.

“Simple human compassion requires that we protect unborn children from the pain of abortion,” Hatch said. “Even abortion supporters say that the debate should be based on medical science, and we now know that each of us could feel pain as early as 20 weeks after conception. I hope that protecting children from pain can be a basis for common ground and that this bill can become law.”

Companion legislation passed the U.S. House of Representatives in June.

(WASHINGTON, DC) – U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), a longtime supporter of protecting the rights of unborn children, is cosponsoring the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, introduced today by Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), which would ban most abortions nationwide for children over 20 weeks old. Scientific and medical evidence have indicated that 20 weeks is the point in which unborn children can feel pain. The legislation includes exemptions for cases of rape, incest or when the mother’s life would be in danger.

“Simple human compassion requires that we protect unborn children from the pain of abortion,” Hatch said. “Even abortion supporters say that the debate should be based on medical science, and we now know that each of us could feel pain as early as 20 weeks after conception. I hope that protecting children from pain can be a basis for common ground and that this bill can become law.”

Companion legislation passed the U.S. House of Representatives in June.